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Background Esophageal cancer is frequently associated with multiple primary cancers and they are sometimes found simultaneously. The aim of this retrospective study was to clarify the clinical outcome of simultaneous surgery for patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer with multiple primary cancers. Methods Clinicopathologic features and surgical outcomes were compared between 14 simultaneous resections (SR group) and 108 single esophagectomy (E group) among 122 patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell cancer in 2005–2013. Results The most common site of multiple primary cancers was the stomach (6 patients; 43%), followed by the stomach (5 patients; 36%), the lung (4 patients; 29%), the tongue, the colon, and the duodenum (1 patient; 7%). The number of multiple primary cancers was double (12 patients; 86%), triple (1 patient; 7%), and quadruple (1 patient; 7%). The incidence of antecedent and subsequent cancers didn’t differ between two groups. The SR group increased blood loss and prolonged operation time. However, there were no differences in postoperative morbidity, mortality and hospital days between the two groups. The SR group had shorter overall survival than the E group (3 years MST 54% vs 74%, Log rank P = 0.056) Conclusion The presence of synchronous cancers complicates the surgical resection of esophageal cancer. Although simultaneous surgery for patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer with multiple primary cancers was found to be comparably safe, the overall survival was poor than the single esophagectomy group. Treatment strategy condidering multidisciplinary approach is needed to improve the survival. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Summary Background Androgens cause regression of human hair follicles in the parietofrontal scalp, but the precise mechanisms by which they do so are unknown. Although many investigators have elucidated the effect of androgens on hair growth by using rodents and other animals, some of the evidence is conflicting. Objectives To investigate the effect of androgens on mouse hair regrowth and hair cycle by using androgen receptor knockout (ARKO) mice. Methods We examined the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on hair regrowth by using ARKO mice and wild-type (WT) littermates, compared the hair cycles in ARKO mice and WT littermates by histology and histomorphometry, and measured hair length and thickness in ARKO mice and WT littermates. Results DHT inhibited the hair regrowth of WT mice but not that of their ARKO littermates. The anagen phase in the second hair cycle was longer in ARKO mice than in their WT littermates. The hair of ARKO mice was longer and thicker than that of their WT littermates. Conclusions Androgens inhibit hair growth in mice, and this inhibition might be caused by androgen–androgen receptor signals.